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Asthma patients respond to chiropractic care

An October 5, 2002 report to the Ninth International Conference on Spinal Manipulation in Toronto, Canada says that in an Australian study, patients with asthma responded positively to chiropractic care in terms of symptoms, immunological capacity and endocrine effects.

 

The study involved 420 patients with an average age of 46. Researchers, led by Ray Hayek, Ph.D., focused on how chiropractic care affected asthma patient's symptoms, depression and anxiety, general health status and immune system function.

 

The study involved two groups of asthma patients, the first receiving no adjustments and the second was adjusted using any of four chiropractic adjustment techniques and protocols. The group under chiropractic care experienced significant improvement in symptoms, depression and anxiety.

 

The chiropractic group also displayed dramatic improvements in immune system function. To the point that the authors say the effects of adjusting are more far-reaching than previously thought. They discovered the increase in immune system function after an adjustment "would be expected to reduce the incidence and severity of [asthma attacks]. There would be less of a risk under these circumstances of compounding the symptoms of asthma."

 

Commentary: Chiropractic care is not designed to cure any disease or condition. When patients with asthma respond to chiropractic, it is because the body is better able to function and heal itself when it is free of nervous system interference from vertebral subluxation. We are thrilled to see research focusing on how overall body and immune system function improves as well as the symptomatic picture.